.1 
.A/64- 




Book A 



^£-!? PROCEEDING ^ &- 



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feiran^ %n\\\} (s\i\t f epuljlir , 



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1873 
SECTION FIRST. 




P- ^' — Officer of the Day, for what purpose have we 
assembled ? 

0. of D. — For the purjiose of opening an encampment 
of the G. A. R., for transaction of business and enlist- 
ment of recruits, 

P. C. to 0. D. — Are _vou satisfied that all present are 
members of the Grand'Arni}' ? 

0. of B. — Sir, I T^ill at once make the Grand Rounds 
and report. (At which the O. D. will proceed to take 
up the pass from all members present, and report to the 
P. C.) Sir, I am satisfied (or not satisfied) that all pre- 
sent are members of the Grand Army. 

P. C. — Let the Assembly be sounded. 
O. G. will command. Fall in Guard, and proceed at once to re- 
lieve the outpost.*. Arriving at the oulpo.st, should he find any 
stranger there, he will at once take charge of him and learn, from 
the sentinel on duty, why he is retaining him at the outpost : 

_ Sentind—1 found him (or them) wandering near our 
lines, desiring to enter the encampment. 

0. of O. to Stranyer — What was your object in wan- 
dering near our lines V 

Stranger.— I desire to enlist in the Grand Army of the 
Republic. 

The Officer of the Guard will address the recruit— 

My Frknd : If, after examination in accordance with 
the regulations for the government of this Encampment, 
you are found to be qualified, we will rejoice to receive 
you into our ranks. Is it of your own free will and ac- 
cord that you make this request ? 

Recruit will reply : 

It is. 





W'^ — 2 — tj 



a^ 



0.^/j'v.;- of the Guird—Do you uiiderstaiid the objects 
for which this great Army is being enlisted ? 

Ri-rrvit — I do. 

Offir^rof the Guard— Am you fully determined to do 
your duty to your country and your comrades-in-arms 
in the future, as you haye beenYaitliful to them in the 
past ? 

Recruit — I am. 

0. of G. — 1. What is your name ? 
2. WJiat is your age ? 
;5. Where do you reside ? 

4. Wluit is your occu])ation? 

5. AVhere were you born ? 

0. Haye you serVed your country in the field? 

7. In what command ?— state comijany and regi- 
ment. ■ " 

H. IIo\y long were you in the service? 

!). Were you Jionoral)ly discharged from the ser- 
vice ? 

The Officer of the Guard will then in a tone of authority com- 
mand : ■' 

Sentinel, you will take charge of our friend, and con- 
duct liim to the quarters of the Officer of the Day. 
When arrived at the quarters of the O. D. 

0. G. to 0. D. — Sir, I bring you these men (or this 
man) whom the Sentinel found wandering near the out- 
posts, and who have exi)ressed a desire to enter our en- 
campment. I have examined them (or him) and have 
the honor to report that they (or he) have answered all 
questions in a satisfactory manner, and in accordance 
with the regulations for the government of tliis army. 

O.D. to Rerriiif—My frit'ud, ])efore u:oin>: further you 
will be requirecfto take upon yourself a solemn obliga- 
tion. Are you willing to do so? 

Recruit — ^I am. 

The Officer of the Bay will then instruct the recruit to hold up 

nis right hand and will administer to him the followin<,'oblijj:ation : 

You do solemnly swear, or affirm, by the ever living 



wivm~~ 




— 3 



God, and in the presence of these witnesses — your for- 
mer comrades iu arms — that you" Avill not divulge to any 
living being any questions that have been or may be 
asked you whilst you are in this Camp ; anything you 
may see or hear in this Camp, or anytliing you hear said 
by others ; that you will not mention to anj^ person or 
persons, not members of this C'amp, the name of any one 
you may see here, either at this or any other time ; that 
you will not mention to any one, should you become a 
member or not ; and that you will true answers make to 
the best of your knowledge and belief— So help you 
God. « 

Officer of the Day — You will remain as you are and 
await orders from the commander of this Post. 

The Officer of the Day then instruct* tlie Orderly— 

You will report to the Adjutant of the Post that I have 
in my charge a former soldier of the Republic — a brave 
defender of the American Union — who desires to enlist 
in the Grand Arm}' of tliis glorious Republic. 

Orderly will report to Post Adjutant — 

Sir, the Officer of the Day desires to enter this Camp 
in charge of a former soldier of this Republic. 

Post Adjutant will salute the Commander of the Post and report 
the same as Orderly. 

The Commander of the Post will then direct the Post Adjutant to 
repair to the Camp entrance and see that the recruit is properly 
qualified for admission to the Camp. 

Post Adjutant to the Officer of the Day : 

Sir, I am directed by the Commander of this Post to 
inquire if you have examined your charge carefully ? 

Officer of the Day to the Post Adjutant : 

I have, sir. 

Post Adjutant to the Officer of the Day : 

Are you informed of his honorable discharge from 
service ? 
^ Officer of the Day to the Post Adjutant : 

I am, sir. 



^ 




— 4 — 

Post Adjutant to the Officer of the Day : 

And above all, sir, do you know, beyond a doubt, that 
h ■ !i: s never deserted the service of his country in her 
hour of danger? 

Officer of the Da)- to the Po,«t Adjutant : 

I do, sir. 

P. A. to 0. D. — Sir, you will now prepare the recruit 
for the solemn scenes of enlistment. 

The Officer of the Day will then give the proper salrte and will 
instnict the Officer of the Guard to prepare the recruit for admijision. 
The Officer of the Guard will prepare the recruit as directed. 

[The recruit is prepared in the foIlowinL,' manner: — Hoodwinked, 
or hlindfolded. divt'stod of his coat and hat* over his shoulders is 
thrown a torn and otherwisi' distiLrarcd ijovernment blanket, to re- 
present the condition of a prisoner of war.J 

P. A. to P. C. — Sir, I have complied with your in- 
structions. He awaits your orders. 

P. C. {ui (( hnid tone)—Jje\, the call be sounded, and the 
Camp prepared for the solemn scenes of enlistment. 

Post Adjutant will repair to his office, on the right of Post Com- 
mander. 

[The Camp is prepared hy placinc a box six feet in length, three 
in width, and two in depth in the centre of the room, labelled upon 
the lid, in a conspicuous manner, with the name and regiment of 
some soldier who died in Andersonville Rebel Prison. On the centre 
of the box will be placed an open Bible and crossed swords, with 
the American flag draped in mourning. A guard is detailed, armed 
and equipped, and placed in front of the box. A small stool is 
placed opposite the guard and near the box, upon which the candi- 
date will kneel. The members of the Post Battallion are drawn up 
in line (to represent two companies in line of battle) lengthwise 
with the room. The Post Adjutant Mill caus(^ the guard to be de- 
tailed and placed in position, and tlien he will form the Battalion. 
He will then place one sentinel, armed and equipped, at the en- 
trance.] 

Everything being in readiness, of which the Post Adjutant must 
be satisfied, he will address the Post Commander — 

P. A. to P. C. — Sir, the Camp is prepared. 
P. C. to A. — Direct the Officer of the Day to enter 
with his charge. 

The Adjutnnt of the Post will repair to the entrance (the door 
being opened by the Orderly'* and command in a tone of authority 



-&^?m 



p. A. to 0. D.— Sir, the Commander of this Post di- 
rects j'ou to conduct the stranger hither. 

The Officer of the Day, with such assisstance as the case may re- 
quire, will pass with the recruits into the encampment, ansVwill 
march them once around the room, when he shall be challenged 
by a sentinel on duty at the reserve post, as follows : 

Sentinel — Who comes there ? 

The Officer of the Day will reply : 

Friends, with the countersign. 

The Sentinel will command : 

Halt ! friends ; advance one, with the countersign. 

The Officer of the Day will halt the recruit— advance— give the 
countersign (in a low tone or whisper) to the sentinel. The sentinel 
will command : 

The countersign is correct. Advance, friends. 

Having passed, the sentinel will immediately repair to the quar- 
ters of the Officer of the Day, and remain on duty at tlie second en- 
trance, or reserve post. The sentinel on duty there will repair to 
the outpost. The Officer of the Guard will, when relieved, at once 
enter the Encampment and take post on the right of the guard de- 
tailed for muster. 

The recruit is conducted by the Officer of the Day, to the sound 
of slow, solemn music, twice around the Encampment, halting at 
the stool, upon which the Officer of the Day will instruct the candi- 
date to kneel, placing his left hand on the Bible and swords, and 
holding up his right hand, as if in theact of being mustered into the 
service. 

Here the Post Adjutant administers obligation second, recruit re- 
peating — 

I do solemnly swear, in the presence of Almighty 
God and these witnesses, my former comrades in arms — 
that I will never, under any pretense, nor for any pur- 
pose whatever, make known the secrets of this Encamp- 
ment. That I will never make known, or cause to be 
made known, either directly or indirectly', any of the 
pass-words, grips, signs, or give any information what- 
soever, by which any of the hidden mysteries, work or 
ritual of this band of comrades may be known to the 
uninitiated. I do further solemnly swear that I will 
never wrong a soldier nor his family, nor suffer others 
to wrong tliem, if I can help it ; but that I will, on all 



W>1^ 





— 6 — 

occasions, when not inconsistent witli tlie duty I owe 
to mj' God, my country and myself, befriend "him nnd 
his family. That I will, on all occasions, employ him 
or assist him to obtain emphn'ment ; that, if need be, I 
will extend the hand of charity — lirst to him or those by 
wiiose side I have fou<::ht for mj- country; that I will 
sustain for offices of trust and profit — other things being 
equal — at all times the citizen Soldier of the Republic. 
I do further swear that I will be governed by the rules 
of the Encamjnnent, and yield imjilicit obedience to the 
Encampment of which I may be a mcndier, and to all 
the rulesand orders of the Grand Encampment to which 
this Encampment is subordinate ; and 1 further prom- 
ise and declare that, should any books or papers belong- 
ing to this Encampment come or be placed in my hands, 
I will neither print nor copj', nor cau.se to be printed or 
copied, any part or portion thereof, except by special 
permission of the Grand Encami)ment. I do further 
swear tiiat I take the obligation upon myself without 
any mental reservation whatever, under no less a pen- 
alty than that of being treated and punished as a Spy 
and a Traitor by this Order. So help me God, and keep 
nui dcddfiiKt. 

The officer of the Guard immedialcly alter llie oljligalion is ad- 
minis^tercd will command : 

Attention, Guard ! Shoulder arms. Ready ! aim ! — 
The Officer of the Day will now quickly command- 
Hold ! This is a soldier and a brother I (And will re- 
moye the covering from the head of the recruit.) 
The Officer of the Guard then commands— 
Recover arms ! Shoulder, arms ! Order, arms: 

Here the Officer of the Day delivers the foUowinj; address to the 
recruit, who is still kneeling : 

You see, my brother and fel' ■ . ddier, what might 
have been your fate but for nn timely interference in 
3()Vir beiialf. This is to impress firmly upon your mem- 





— 7 — 

ory the importance of the solemn obligation you have 
just taken and the danger that might come to you, 
should }'ou treacherously betray the secrets of this En- 
campment entrusted to you. You behold a strange em- 
blem of mortality ! You no doubt have seen many like 
it. The remains of this comrade and brother patriot, 
who was starved in the demon den, Andersonville rebel 
prison, have been saved by kind friends from an un- 
known grave. But oh ! many brave men, whose fear- 
less hearts oiice beat like yours to-night, in holy unison 
with our glorious Union, are now lying, cold and mo- 
tionless, beneath tlie clods of the vallej^ in a strange, 
unknown land. May it duly impress you with a sense 
of thankfulness to the Great Giver of all good, that you 
were saved from such a terri!)le fate. You were blind- 
folded for the purpose of calling up vividly to your rec- 
olection the dark, gloomy days, months aud years of 
the rebellion — the better to enable you to thank God for 
his kindness to us as a people, in that, as it were, Egyp- 
tian midnight of national darkness. In being caused to 
march around this Encampment, blindfolded as you 
were, it will, no doubt, forcibly remind you of many a 
lonely midnight hour, in which you have groped your 
way toward the enemy's camp ; or, perhaps, bring to 
your remembrance some horrid scene of some well-con- 
tested field after the battle, where you administered to 
the wants of your dying comrades, where the dark an- 
gel of death was hurriedly closing the last life scene of 
many a brave soldier, by whose side you fought that 
day. May God help us to jirofit by the solemn, heart- 
rending scenes of the past ! But, my friend, let us turn 
from the gloomy past to the more hopeful and glorious 
future; and may the solemn scenes which you have just 
witnessed, teach you that great and important lesson of 
human life that nothing is left for us to do but our duty 
to the living. And while we cherish in fond remem- 
vlii brance the recollections of our martyred comrades, let 
^ us pledge ourselves anew to the glorious Union be- 



queathed us by f^ur Revolutionary fathers; to the wives 
aud children of those wiio will return to them no more 
forever; and to tlic liviiig representatives of the srallant 
volunteer army of the Union, tiie saviors of the countrj\ 
I will now surrender j'ou into the hands of the Post 
Commander, for further instructions. 
At this juncture the Post Adjutant will command- 
Parade is dismissed. 

The Guard will then stack arms. The Battalion will, with the 
Guard, repair to their seats, and the Orderly at the entrance will 
cause the entrance to be closed. The officers, havini: resumed their 
stations, the Officer of the Day will address the Commander of the 
Post- 
Sir, I have the honor to introduce (here give name), 
formerl}' of (here give regiment) Volunteers. 

The Officer of the Day remains with the recruit until the charge 
of the Post Commander is delivered, which he will at once proceed 
to do. 

The Post Commander will address the recruit in substance as 
follows : 

My Friend : You have now, of j'our own free will 
and accord, taken upon yourself the most solemn and 
binding Oatit that is possi])le for man to give or re- 
ceive, anfl enrcdled yourself in the most powerful Army 
ever enlisted since the foundation of the world ; and it 
now becomes me, as the Commander of this Post, to ex- 
plain to you the nature of this organization and the ne- 
cessities for such an order. 

You will recall to mind the fiict that in 1861, soon af- 
ter the inauguration of Abraiiam Lincoln, as the Chief 
Executive of this nation; the traitor's hand was put 
forth to loo.sen the fraternal ties of this glorious Union : 
to break the almost impregnable breastworks of its de- 
fenses, and to cause the dark waves of treason so to 
swell and surge against the bulwarks of our National 
Capital as to threaten the entombing of the Union be- 
neath tlie Stygian depths. Tlien all true men, regardless 
of party antecedents, were aroused and the Nation awoke 
from that " sweet dream of peace " and the fancied seen- 



S) 




— 9 — 

rity it had enjoj'ed during ncarl_v a century. Never did 
a nation more promptly vindicate tlie cliivalry and prow- 
ess of lier sons in arms. Never, in the annals of liistory, 
was any country so severely, so causelessly tested. Our 
fathershad demonstrated that man is capable of self gov- 
ernment, and that, with a free people, the majority must 
rule. Our Constitution had secured to us every blessing 
the human heart has any right to desire in tliis world. 
Our Government had spread the broad a?gis of its guar- 
dianship over every member of its family, and while it 
secured him from oppression at home, it threw the pan- 
oply of its same protection around him when abroad — 
alike in the courts of kings and the hamlets of their sub- 
jects. 

Secret political organizations sprung up, having for 
their open and avowed object the destruction of this 
glorious and God-given Union. Witli such purpose, 
through the sinister operations of these organizations, 
nearly all the offices in our National Capital, and many 
in our State, were tilled with men who labored to over- 
throw the Government. Before the Nation was aware 
of danger, every vessel of war was sent to foreign seas, 
far beyond the reach of recall. The few arms and mu- 
nitions of war within the loyal North were transferred 
to the disloyal South. Our national treasury was de- 
pleted and our army scattered, and Avhen this work of 
destruction was well-nigh completed, our mighty nation, 
like a camp surprised at midnight, suddenly awoke to a 
just sense of danger. The alarm was sounded — "Every 
man to his post by land, and all hands on deck at sea." 

At dawn of day there stood a mighty rebel army ; 
well equipped, well armed and well drilled ; ready and 
waiting to blot from the pages of history the very re- 
membrance of a self-govering people ; an army like that 
assembled by Satan to destroy the heavenly hosts — an 
army determined to prove to the world that our govern- 
ment was a lie and republican institutions a failure, and 
that a government of the people cannot endure. 




— 10 — 



i 



In that dark and terrible hour, when the sun hid his 
face in blushes, tlie moon looked down and wept on 
outraged humanity and the stars went out in sorrow for 
the ingratitude of a people wlio were rebellious while 
making and administering their own laws and dictating 
laws to the nation, that God who is the dispenser of all 
good, honoring and blessing the nobly inaugurated mis- 
sion of our country, gave us the immortal Lincoln, as 
the incarnate and sanctified Servitor of Liberty. The 
voice of the mighty Douglas rang throughout the land, 
rallying his honored compeers "To arms! Beat back 
the traitorous foe !" and to that mighty tongue, whose 
elocjuence had i\xr years moved and thrilled the Senate, 
did the jieople respond. 

The camp was thoroughly aroused to a sense of dan- 
ger. The plow was left in the furrow ; the mechanic 
left his work-sliop ; the merchant his store ; the wood- 
man dropped liisaxe; the doctor and lawyer closed their 
offices ; the professor doffed his gown, and each shoul- 
dered his musket and unsheathed his sword to protect 
the flag; and as with steady tread each marched to the 
field, he took a solemn oath that by his own strong right 
arm, by the memory of the fathers, and by the blessing of 
God that flag should still float like a flame in tiie sky ; and 
whenever on land or sea, the oppressed shall see it, he 
shall bless it ; and alike whether it float aloft in holiday 
triumph on the summer breeze, or be dimly seen amid 
the clouds of war, it shall ever float the pride and joy of 
the American heart ! Tlius you went forward when your 
country was to be vindicated and glory to be achieved, ' 
and after many years of hard service, sleepless nights, '. i 
cold and wet marches, and l(!aving half j'our numbers to j 
fill bloody graves, or to walk the streets without an arm 
or leg, or otherwise maimed, to drag out a miserable ex- | 
istence, you returned with victory and ))eace. i I 

This, my fellow-soldier, was in \^art tiie result of a M 

neglected ballot box. Instead of choosing for our rulers ^ 

honest, upright and capable men, whose actions were ^ 



— 11 



^fS' 




guided by the welfare of tlieir country, -we have too fre- 
quently honored those who labored for self interest, and 
had no sympathy with the people. To prevent a recur- 
rence in the future, this Army has been enlisted. The 
ground we stand upon towers transcendently above all 
partj^ considerations. We think this government only 
safe in the hands of tliose who have bared their breasts 
against the storm and struggled for our national exist- 
ence as our fathers did in 1776, when they proclaimed 
Liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants 
thereof Men neglected their business, gave their means, 
risked their live*, and what is infinitely above all else, 
left their families dependent. How many cases of this 
kind can you recall to mind V How often has the poor 
soldier toiled on daj^ and night, to fight for our cause, 
thinking of the dear ones sufiering at home ? Divorced 
by military necessity from wife and family and espoused 
to country, he pressed on, saying, "Come what may, 
life or death, we will save the Union, and will never 
give ground till, victory complete, overwhelming and 
glorious, shall perch upon all our banners !" Well have 
our battles been fought, until this gigantic Treason has 
been crushed out, and the jubilant shout of Victory has 
gone up from all our charging columns. Think you, 
my friend, this government safe in tlie hands of such 
men? Most assuredly it is safe in the hands of none 
other. Place soldiers, and only soldiers in office, and 
treason will hide its repulsive head, no more to be seen 
and felt in this land. 

How many poor maimed soldiers do you see without 
employment, trying to get a position where tliey may 
be able to earn their bread without being compelled to 
perform manual labor ; whiJst large, healthy and stout 
men, who never heard a gun fire, are usurping all the 
offices of profit, a soldier can scarcely get employment — 
there seems to be a conspiracy against him. To remedy 
this evil is a part of the business of this order, but not 
its entire mission. 



12 



I will nov call j'our attention to the great and main 
object of til ; order : The protection and educdtion of 
thefi(milien of dectdned soldiers. Of the many luindreds 
of thousands who went to the held, thousands never re- 
turned, but belong to that mighty armj" of martyred 
patriots, who paid the forfeit of their heart's blood on 
the tield of battle, or lie buried in the vicinity of some 
General Hospital. The majoritj^ of these departed pat- 
riots have families at home who depended entirely upon 
their earnings for support. It is the duty of the people 
to feed, clothe and educate them. The poor farmer, me- 
chanic, or day laborer, as the case may be, is induced 
by tlie fair promises of liis rich neighbor to leave his 
wife and children, as.srured by him that the.y shall want 
for nothing during his absence. Inspired with the love 
of patriotism, he trusts mother, wife, sister and children 
to the care of his rich friends, to meet the enemy on the 
open tield. For a time his family are meagrelj' sup- 
plied. The}" read of the terrible slaughter and learn 
that he is among the peaceful Dead ! Their only ])rop 
taken from them ! They appeal to the landlord for as- 
sistance, but it is stubbornly refused them ; they are re- 
duced to beggary, and the result is that perhaps the mo- 
ther soon follows the husband to the unknown regions, 
aud the children are made servants of those who treat 
them worse than the Southern traitor treats the slave. 
This is but a parallel case to those you can tind in any 
city or village. Our organization takes tiie little ones 
and gives them a home alike comfi>rtable and respecta- 
ble, and compels society, not only to do them justice, 
but to honor and respect them, as children of departed 
Ijatriots, who fell in defense of our free institutions. 

This, my friend, is tlie principle of the organization 
to which you have attached yourself, and may Goil, the 
great Commander of all, guard and protect this (^rder 
and all its members, and aid us in His infinite wisdom ; 
may he ever assist the Commander of this Post to so 
command as will be to the interests of this Nation, which 




— 13 — 

has nursed and protected us with the care and fondness 
of the mother for her child. May he guide and direct 
the Commanders of the different Districts and Depart- 
ments of the United States, so that they will ever have 
an eye single to the good of mankind, and for the ever- 
lasting pre'servation of our noble institutions. 

Havincr delivered his charse, the Commander of the Post will ib- 
«truct the Oihcer of the Daf to conduct the brother to the Pof Ad- 
jutant. Arriving at the Adjutant's, the Post Commander will com- 
mand— 

Adjutant, you will instruct the brother m the signs 
and grips, and deliver to him the countersign of the 
Grand Armv of the Republic. 

The Adjutant will then proceed to insfyuct the t'rother carefull^y 
After the Adjutant has carefully instructed the member, the J-ost 
Commander will say : 

Comrades, you have passed through the ceremony of 
Enlistment and muster, and now with P^ef i"^; J grfft 
you as members of the Grand Army of the Republic, 
and trust you will continue worthy and honored mem-_ 
bers. You will now take your seats as members ot 
this Encampment. 





LIBRARY OF CON^^ 




